The ticket deadline is Friday, May 22, for the 18th annual Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska to be held June 5-6 at the Redbird Ranch near Lynch, Neb. This year’s ball will be hosted by the Tom Herzog and Kim Schweers family.
“We are very pleased with ticket sales,” said Deb Hilker, who lives in O’Neill, Neb., and is one of the five co-chairs for the event. “The event is 99 percent sold out.”
Hilker, who lives in O’Neill, Neb. A Trail Boss ticket for both days of the event is $350. This includes the Trail Boss social on Friday night, private champagne reception and Trail Boss lunch on Saturday, plus preferred seating for the Saturday evening dinner and concert along with special recognition in the program.
A $75 Top Hand ticket provides admission for all events after 1 p.m. on Saturday, including the dinner, concert and dance.
Tickets are available at www.cattlemensball.com or at the Holt County Economic Development Office in O’Neill. To order your ticket by phone or for more information, call 402-336-1504.
The event’s theme, “Outlaw Cancer,” will bring out the local history of the area. In the days of the Old West, many outlaws, cattle rustlers, horse thieves, and con men including legendary outlaws Doc Middleton and Kid Wade frequented what is now the Outlaw Trail.
Today’s Outlaw Trail is Highway 12, paralleling the Niobrara River, which provides a beautiful setting for the ball. The ranch operations include a herd of registered Texas Longhorn cattle.
Three country music entertainers – Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Darryl Worley – will headline this year’s ball. Together, they share a combined 73 top country singles.
The two days include a variety of events including a golf tournament, art show, wine tasting, live and silent auctions, style show, a general store, airboat rides, helicopter rides, and a Native American powwow.
Nebraska beef will be highlighted at several events such as the Trail Boss Social, a private Champagne Reception, the Trail Boss Brunch and the Saturday evening dinner.
The Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska, Inc. is established to promote beef in a healthy diet, to showcase rural Nebraska and to raise money for health care research.
To date, the event has raised more than $10 million for the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which is located in Omaha on the campus of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.
As in past years, 10 percent of funds raised will go toward local health care organizations in the communities that host the ball.
In addition to Hilker, other co-chairs and their hometowns include: Stephanie Boettcher, Spencer, Neb.; Kelly Kalkowski, Lynch, Neb.; Scott Poese, and Nicole Sedlacek, both of O’Neill.
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 68 centers in the country. It is the only NCI-designated center in the state of Nebraska. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is also one of the 13 founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers. This recognition means the most current and innovative treatment options are available to cancer center patients through the integration of cutting-edge research into state-of-the-art care. Cancer center physicians and scientists work together to quickly translate discoveries made in the laboratory into innovative treatments for the patient.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 EVENTS
8:30 a.m. ~ Golf Tournament @ O’Neill Country Club
5 p.m. ~ Gates open
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ~ General Store Open
6 p.m. ~ Trail Boss Reception in Saloon Tent
7 p.m. ~ Welcome
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ~ Live Auction
9 p.m. to 12 p.m. ~ Dance to the Back Forty Band
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 EVENTS
9 a.m. Gates Open for Trail Boss Ticket Holders
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ~ Trail Boss Champagne Social
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Saturday Activities
Helicopter Rides, Wagon Rides, Airboat Rides
Scenic Overlook Tour, Trick Riders
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ General Store Open
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Art Show
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ~ Silent Auction
1 p.m. ~ Main Gates Open for Top Hand Ticket Holders
1:30 p.m. ~ Opening Ceremonies in the Courtyard
3:15 p.m. ~ Powwow
1 p.m.- 5 p.m. ~ Concession Stand Open
11:45 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. ~ Trail Boss Brunch
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ~ Live Auction
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ~ Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Health Screenings
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ~ Wine Tasting
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ~ Style Show
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. ~ Farm & Machinery Auction
5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. ~ Evening Meal
6:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ~ Vehicle Raffle Drawing
6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. ~ Host Family Welcome & Thank You
6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ~ Live Auction
8 p.m. ~ Roots & Boots Concert
10 p.m. to Midnight ~ Dance to the Back Forty Band